Mine Health and Safety Act, 1996 (Act No. 29 of 1996)Notices, Guidance Notes, Compilation GuidelinesGuidance Note for the Prevention and Management of Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health Disorders in the South African Mining IndustryPart A: The Guidance Note1. Foreword |
| 1.1 | NCDs, also known as chronic diseases, are diseases that are neither spread through infection nor other people. It tends to be of long duration and are the result of a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental behavioural and lifestyle factors. NCDs may be modified through lifestyle interventions or behaviours. |
| 1.2 | Globally, NCDs are responsible for the majority of deaths (most of which are premature deaths of people under the age of 70) and disability, according to the WHO. Low and middle-income countries are disproportionately affected the most, accounting to 77% of all NCD deaths. |
| 1.3 | There are four groups of NCDs that are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally and these are: cardiovascular diseases (17.9 million deaths annually), followed by cancers (9.3 million), chronic respiratory diseases (4.1 million) and diabetes (2.0 million including kidney disease deaths caused by diabetes). |
| 1.4 | Globally, 15% of working-age adults were estimated to have a mental disorder in 2019. Furthermore 12 billion working days are estimated to be lost every year to depression and anxiety at a cost of US$ 1 trillion per year in lost productivity. |
| 1.5 | In South Africa, NCDs and mental health disorders are not only the leading causes of mortalities, but also morbidity and disability. The following NCD groups are prevalent in South Africa: cardiovascular diseases, endocrine and metabolic disorders, cancers and chronic respiratory diseases. |
| 1.6 | The South African mining industry started collecting data on NCDs in 2019 through the DMPR’s Annual Medical Reporting form. Findings from the data show that the main NCD groups in the South African mining industry are categorised as follows: autoimmune disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, endocrine and metabolic system disorders, genitourinary disorders, infectious diseases, mental and behavioural disorders, metabolic syndrome, musculoskeletal conditions, nervous system and sense organs disease. The national picture of NCDs shows the metabolic syndrome as the most prevalent NCDs in the industry. These are followed by endocrine and metabolic system disorders. The industry also noted a rise in mental and behavioural disorders in 2020 (during COVID-19). |
| 1.7 | NCDs may affect employees’ overall state of health and safety, and fitness to perform work. |